Magnetically-controlled switch and train stop



r w. H; SUTHEBLAND. MAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED SWITCH AND TRAIN STOP.

APPLICATION FILED MAY24,192I. I 1,403,654. Patented Jan. 17,1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l- INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

W. H. SUTHERLAND. MAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED SWITCH AND TRAIN STOP.

APPLICATION man MAY-24,1921. 1,403,654. P nt d Jan. 17,1922.

2 SHEET$ SHEET 2.

LHHHH HH.

fit/U i L1 L1 ATT UNITED STATES WILLIAM H. S'U'IHERLAN D, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

MAGNETICALLY-CONTROLLED SWITCH AND TRAIN STOP.

Application filed May 24,

T 0 all 1-!) 710m it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. SUTHER- LAND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of lVayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inMagnetL cally-Controlled Switches and Train Stops, of which the following is specification.

This invention relates to automatic train stops and at the same time to magneticallycontrolled switches for electric circuits. It is possible to operate an automatic train stop by mechanical devices that are tripped by devices along the track. It is also possible to operate an automatic train stop electrically where the current is taken onto the train through some other source than the two rails on which the train rolls, but with the axles and wheels as a solid metal unit it is practically impossible to shunt enough current oft from this efficacious electrical bridge from rail to rail to in any way form a motive power for setting in operation the train stop devices either directly or indirectly through'relay circuits. The reason for this will be obvious for the axle is in such large section that it is obviously a better conductor than any shunt circuit that can be rigged up.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome this difficulty by using a magnetically-controlled member for furnishing the motive power to close a local circuit. This magnetically-operated member can be controlled very nicely by the current passing through the axle; hence it is possible to control the train stop device (which here is simply a train pipe release valve) by an electric circuit which is closed simply by the wheels running over. the rails of a specified track section.

A simple provision is made for excluding undesired actuation of the train stop by circuits intended to operate block signals, crossing bells, etc. This 'is accomplished in a very effective way by using a current of one polarity for operating all the other signals and making the equipment on the train sensitive only to a current of the opposite polarity and atthe same time providing a current of this specified polarity to set the train stop when this is desired. This will be more fully explained in the specification following.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view taken (line 11 of Fig.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 17, 1922.

1921. Serial No. 472,073.

2) along the axle showing one half of the axle and the switch housing and parts contained therein.

2 is a cross section.

Fig. 3 is a view which is largely a pla n view but the view of the switch parts is a section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

F g. 4 is a plan view of a track block.

Fig. 5 is a perspective of the magnetic needle.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 7 is a perspective detail of one of the arms 8 and 9. i I

There is no need of illustrating in detail the apparatus of the train stop signal or semaphore. Suflice it to say that a indicates a lever which closes a switch 7) in the circuit 0 which has connections with both rails of the track, as clearly shown in Fig. 4:. The circuit is only completed when the train runs over the track andthe wheels and axle serve as a bridge to carry the current from rail to rail. My switch is mounted on one of the front truck axles of the locomotive.

Referring to Fig. 1, e designates an axle only half of which is shown in Fig. 1. Upon this axle is bolted a pair of collars f, f separated by tapered roller bearings g from the bearing rings b that support a housing sleeve j. The rings 71 are secured by screws to both the bearing rings 71- and the housing sleeve y. This completes a switch housing which is connected with the stabilizing cross rod 70 by means of the coil spring Z. Hence this switch housing will not rotate with the axle but by virtue of the roller bearings the same will remain stationary while the axle and the collars f rotate.

A pair of cross bars m, we having their ends turned up are bolted to the insides of the bearing rings h and serve to connect these together. These cross bars we support a plate n. To this plate is secured by screws the block 0 provided with a binding post p.

There is also secured to the plate a by screws a block 9 provided with yoke-like arms r to form contacts. A pair of spring arms 8, sor contacts are secured by screws to the opposite sides of the block 0, as is clearly shown in Fig. 8. These are switch arms adapted to contact with the yoke arms 1' and close a circuit when pressed by the presser arm 73. This arm t is secured on the top of the'spindle a which is fast to the magnetic needle I) which pivots on the bar The needle 0 is a permanent magnet and ordinarily it will take up a position parallel with the axis of the axle c and will hold this position because of the magnetic character of the needle and the direction of the mass of the iron axle. lVhenever current is sent through the axle c this induces a magnetic field around the axle in which the lines of force run around the axle in circles. This immediately causes the magnetic needle 1) to swing at right angles to the axle. As it does this it will cause thearm t to swing against one or the other of the switch arms .9 and complete a circuit through the block 0. This will establish a circuit through the magnets 7 to attract the armature This armature z carries a needle valve. 1 that opens a port behind the piston valve 2 and releases the air pressure in the train line 3 through the port 4. This, in the familiar way that a modern air brake is operated, serves to apply the brakes to stop the train.

It will be noticed that on the outside of the switch housing is a crank handle 5 (Fig. 1). This connects with the crank arm 6 that turns the shaft 7 when actuated to raise or lower the shields 8 and 9. In FigsQ and 3 one shield 9 is shown up, and the other shield 8 is shown down, that is, the shield 9 is in position to prevent the presser arm t from operating the switch on this side. The shield 8 down so that the presser arm It may swing around clockwise (Fig. 3) to operate the other switch arm s. This arrangement is for use on track to eliminate currents of oppo site polarity from operating the train stop. Such currents of opposite polarity can be used to operate the usual block signals, cross bells, etc.

From the above description it will be seen how the device operates. The circuit 0 is always provided with current from the battery shown. When this circuit at the switch gap is closed by the lever a the track is set agamst a train. It is to be understood that the lever c is operated by mechanism associated with the usual track signalling system, so that when the track signal indicates danger, the lever closes the circuit 0. The magnetically-controlled switch that I have described being mounted on the front trucks, as soon as the train enters the block of track provided for the circuit 0 instantly a current runs through the axle e and swings the magnetic needle o around through half a turn, the direction depending upon the polarity of the current. Of course, when the polarity oi the current is such as to swing the needle against the shield that has been set to prevent the presser arm t from moving, the apparatus is ineffective. Hence a current to operate block signals, crossing bells, etc. has no effect upon the train stop apparatus.

Currents of the required polarity will effect the stopping, as already explained, by reason of the presser arm 5' swingingaround, bring ing the switch arm a into contact with the yoke arm 1". This establishes an electric circuit through the needle valve 1, releases the pressure behind the piston valve 2 and vents the train line.

The metal parts in the switch can be con structed of non-magnetic metal, such as brass, while the axle is, of course, made of iron or steel which is magnetic.

vVhat I claim is:

1.111 a system for the purpose specified,

the combination of a train stop and an electric circuit for controlling the same including a switch having a magnetized member normally held in neutral position by the axle but deflected and operated by a magnetic field induced about the axle when an electric current passes through the same.

2. In an automatic train stop, the combination of a train stop device, an electric circuit including switching means for operating the same, means normally held parallel to the axle but delected and operated by a current passing through the axle for closing the switching means, and means for selecting the polarity of a current passing through he ing means. V

3. A magnetically-controlled switch, having in combination, a circuit having a pair of contacts, a'magnetizedneedle arranged to bring pressure to bear on the contacts when turned, and a member capable of magnetic attraction in proximity with said magnetic needle that normally keeps the needle in position to keep the contacts open, said memher being arranged at times to carry a current which induces the said magnetic needle to swing through part of a turn and close said contacts.

4. A magnetically-controlled switch, having in combination, a circuit having a pair of contacts, an axle in relation to which said contacts are supported in a non-rotatable position, a magnetic needle supported in prox imity to said axis to normally parallel the axis of said axle and arranged when turned through part of a turn to close said contacts, and means for sending a curent of electricity through the said axle to cause the needle to swing around and close the said contacts.

5. A magnetically-controlled switch, having in combination, a circuit having a pair of contacts supported in fixed position, an axle supported in proximity to said contacts and arranged to turn, a magnetic needle supported pivotally above said axle and normally adapted to parallel said axle and provided with a presser arm connected to turn with the needle and adapted to contact one of said contacts to close the same,

axle required to operate the said switchand means for sending a current of electricity through said axle to cause the needle to turn to bring the presser arm against the contact to close the circuit for the purpose specified.

6. A magnetically-controlled switch, having in combination, a circuit having a pair of contacts one of which is supported upon a spring arm, an axle, a magnetic needle supported in proximity to said axle and normally paralleling said axle, a presser arm connected to swing with said needle and adapted to engage said spring contact arm to close the contacts when the needle turns, and means for sending an electric current through said axle to cause the needle to turn to close the contacts.

7. A magnetically-controlled switch, having in combination, two pairs of contacts, a presser arm adapted to be turned to engage either set of contacts to close an electric circuit, shields which can be fixed alternately to prevent one set of contacts from being closed by excluding the presser arm from contact therewith, a magnetic needle for operating said presser arm, an axle in proximity to said magnetic needle which ordinarily the needle parallels, and means for sending a current of electricity through said axle at appointed times to cause the magnetic needle to turn.

8. A magnetically-controlled switch, having in combination, two pairs of contacts for electric circuits, a presser arm for closing said contacts, a pair of shields having the individual members alternately brought into the path of the presser arms on opposite sides, a magnetic needle for turning a presser arm, and means for sending an electric current in proximity to the needle for deflecting the same in a turning movement whose direction is determined by the polarity of the current.

9. A magnetically-controlled switch, having in combination, a pair of contacts for an electric circuit, a second pair of contacts for an electric circuit, a presser arm between the two pairs of contacts and adapted to engage either pair of contacts to close the circuits controlled thereby, a pair of shields the individual members of which can be alternately brought into the path of the presser arms on opposite sides thereof, shaft, crank and connections between the shaft and crank for setting the shields selectively to bring one or the other of the same into the path of the presser arm, a magnetic needle controlling the movement of the presser arm and a metallic linear member which normally keeps the magnetic needle in a given position, and means for sending a current through said member for moving the needle in one direction or the other depending upon the polarity of the current and thereby turning a presser arm.

10. In a system for the purpose specified, the combination of a train stop and an electric circuit for controlling the same including a switch having a member supported directly adjacent the axle and normally paralleling the same but deflected to close the circuit by a magnetic field induced about the axle when an electric current passes through the same.

11. In a system for the purpose specified, the combination of a train stop, an electric circuit including two rails and the axle of the train, and a second electric circuit for controlling the train stop including a switch having a member supported pivotally in immediate adjacency to the axle and deflected when an electric current is passed through the axle.

12. In a system for the purpose specified, the combination of a train stop, an electric circuit including the rails and the axle of a train, and a second electric circuit for controlling the train stop including a switch having a magnetized needle normally held in neutral position by the mass of the axle but deflected to close the first circuit when an electric current passes through the axle.

13. In a system for the purpose specified, the combination of a train stop, an electric circuit including the rails and the axle of a train, and a second electric circuit for controlling the train stop including a switch having a magnetized needle and two sets of contacts supported adjacent the needle, the latter of which is pivotally supported above the axle and normally held in neutral position with respect to the contacts by the mass of the axle, the said needle being deflected to one side or the other of its neutral position by a current passing through the axle, the direction of deflection being dependent upon the polarity of the current, and means for preventing the deflection in one direction from closing the contacts and circuit and thereby limit the operation of the control to a current of a given polarity.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

IVILLIAM H. SUTHERLAND. 

